Oil + Gas
Inflation Reduction Act would push Louisiana to forefront of clean energy sector
Some policy experts believe Louisiana is one of the better positioned states to take advantage of clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that Congress is expected to pass this week. With $485 billion in new spending offset by $790 billion in revenue and savings, the legislation includes the nation’s largest ever investment in […]
Louisiana utility regulators blame Entergy for creating grid dependent on costly gas
With Louisiana residents receiving unprecedentedly high electricity bills, Democrats on the Louisiana Public Service Commission last week blamed Entergy Louisiana for the “mess,” saying the utility giant ignored calls to diversify its sources of fuel for power generation. The commission called Entergy Louisiana executives to discuss the issue at Wednesday’s meeting. Commission Chairman Lambert Boissiere, […]
Offshore wind farms proposed off Louisiana, Texas coasts could power 3 million homes
HOUSTON — The Gulf of Mexico’s first offshore wind farms will be developed off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, the Biden administration announced last week, and together they’re projected to produce enough energy to power around 3 million homes. The wind farms likely will not be up and running for years, energy analysts and […]
Louisiana climate task force eyes hydrogen energy for federal dollars
Eyeing billions in federal infrastructure dollars, Louisiana’s Climate Initiatives Task Force is evaluating several ongoing projects including a transition to hydrogen energy and building electrical vehicle infrastructure. But the effort faces a significant obstacle to achieve its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The task force has already begun to pick what its members […]
Louisiana’s new solar farm rules don’t apply to most existing solar farms
A new law enacted to prevent “orphan” solar energy farms in Louisiana contains a carve-out that exempts most of the current solar farm projects in the state. House Bill 655, sponsored by Rep. Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafyatette, establishes decommissioning regulations for utility-scale solar projects, requiring companies to pay permitting fees and purchase a bond payable to […]
Louisiana enacts new orphan oil well law to fetch $200 million in federal money
Legislation that positions Louisiana to receive an estimated $200 million in federal grants to fix orphan oil wells became law Tuesday as one of the first bills enacted from the 2022 regular session. Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, was among an initial batch of 17 bills Gov. John Bel Edwards signed. […]
Proposal would ban Russian imports to Louisiana
Louisiana lawmakers on Monday advanced a proposal that would ban Russian imports of natural resources to the state, condemning the invasion of Ukraine. Senate Bill 196, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, advanced unopposed from the House Commerce Committee and will head to the House floor for consideration. The prohibition would include imports of oil, […]
Louisiana Sen. Sharon Hewitt has history of passing bills to benefit oil and gas, her husband
Public records shared with Floodlight in partnership with The Lens, The Illuminator and The Guardian, show state Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell also pushed for laws that would benefit her husband’s company.
Louisiana lawmakers propose study for wind energy pilot project in Gulf
Studies show Gulf of Mexico wind power is one of the largest untapped energy resources in the nation. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory found Gulf winds can provide double the energy currently being used in all five Gulf states.
Solar tax credit bill burns out in House committee
A bill proposing a tax credit for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems in Louisiana failed to advance Tuesday from the House Ways and Means Committee. Republican legislators voted against the measure, 7-3. House Bill 794, sponsored by Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, would have offered a 50% rebate up to $25,000 for […]
Louisiana lawmakers block attempt to pull tax breaks from solar, wind projects
Fossil fuel proponents in the Louisiana House of Representatives were met with resistance Tuesday in a committee where they brought three different bills, one of which would have targeted solar and wind energy projects to make them ineligible for state tax breaks. House Concurrent Resolution 6, sponsored by Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, would have […]
Senate passes bill to position Louisiana for $200 million in orphaned oil well grants
The Louisiana Senate approved a bill Monday that would position Louisiana to receive nearly $200 million in federal grants to fix orphaned oil and gas wells. Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, passed unanimously in a 38-0 vote without any debate on the floor. It will head to the House for consideration. […]